Wednesday, May 16, 2007

This 1969 thriller, also known by its English title of Kill the Fatted Calf, was previously issued on CD in 1991, but here we have an extra three previously unreleased tracks. True, one of them is the interminably long (10 minutes+) atonal track "Ai Confini della Follia (versione 2)," but the other two are variations on previously available themes and worth having.The disc gets off to a fine start with the catchy, almost march-like "Lungo La Stradina," a beat-driven theme for flutes and orchestra. This theme is reprised as a "tick-tocking" version in "Echi del '700" and as a later uptempo version.Morricone's secondary theme is first heard as a sad little flute and piano theme in "Ai Confini della Follia," and in more laid-back form in "Ricordo Tanti Fiori," with flutes over a backbeat. Finally, a second version of this track, which concludes the disc, again presents an easy-going, flutes-lead treatment.The title track is given three treatments. Firstly, as a purposeful mover, with a harpsichord solo in the middle; secondly, as a punchy variation with organ and piano in the middle; and thirdly, with the voice of Edda Dell'Orso and dissonant organ.And that's it basically, a largely three-themed affair, but all of them highly listenable, and in fine stereo sound. Just program out that atonal track and you'll doubtless enjoy the remainder of the disc as much as I did.As always, a colourful booklet accompanies the CD, with Claudio Fuiano's introductory notes and colour stills and artwork. Visit www.digitmovies.com.